# MBA Teams Compete in 1st Annual Stern Leadership Case Competition with Mike Indursky of Bliss

Stern MBA student teams grappled with a real-world business dilemma, developed a plan and presented recommendations to Mike Indursky, president of Bliss, at Stern’s first annual Leadership Case Competition. Hosted by Stern’s Office of Career Development, the event gave students a chance to work on an authentic case at an existing organization, interact with that organization’s senior executive and develop their own personal leadership skills by working in teams. Indursky offered real-time feedback on the student strategies and selected a winning team with input from fellow judges and Stern Professors, [Steven Blader](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/steven-blader) and [JP Eggers](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/jp-eggers).

This year’s winning team included MBA students Kate Coin, Tess de Paula, Tara Hankinson, Grace Kim, Cassidy Morris and Sandra Trevino. Indursky emphasized the importance of three themes that emerged from several of the group presentations:
- Be transparent
- Involve and empower staff at every level of the organization when making decisions about the future
- Use data to inform your strategic plans

During the case competition, each team was paired with a leadership coach, who also shared observations and feedback on each team’s performance.

![Case Competition_Indursky](/sites/default/files/assets/images/con_045138.jpg)
President of Bliss, Mike Indursky

![Case Competition_Eggers](/sites/default/files/assets/images/con_045139.jpg)
Professor JP Eggers

![Case Competition_Blader](/sites/default/files/assets/images/con_045140.jpg)
Professor Steven Blader

Business and Policy Leader Events

— 11/1/2013

###  Read more about past Leadership Luncheon Series events:

- [David Rock, co-founder and director, NeuroLeadership Institute](/node/7951)
- [Stephen Sadove, chairman and CEO, Saks](/node/6297)
- [Sharon Allen, former chairman, Deloitte](/node/6027)
- [Jeff Zucker, former president and CEO, NBC Universal](/node/5503)
- [Tony Alvarez, co-founder, Alvarez & Marsal LLC](/node/4886)
- [Bill Drayton, founder and CEO, Ashoka](/node/4876)
- [Mike Indursky (MBA ’90), president, Bliss World Holdings Inc.](/node/45749)
- [Mary Ellen Iskenderian, president and CEO, Women’s World Banking](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/events/mary-ellen-iskenderian-2011)
- [Larry Silverstein (ARTS ’52), president and CEO, Silverstein Properties](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/silverstein-secrets-success)

## Upcoming Leadership Off the Record Events

- [Jacob Silverman, President of Duff & Phelps](/node/48261)